The most basic need of man is not physical rejuvenation, psychological adjustment, or social improvement…it’s spiritual regeneration. We who are dead need life. Only as we live in the reality of both who we were without Christ and now who we are in Christ, will our lives overflow with God-glorifying works. ~ Pastor Dave
Open: Describe a time in your life that you messed up badly but were shown mercy. What had you done? How did the kindness impact you?
Read: Ephesians 2:1-10: Romans 3; Titus 2:11-14
Discuss:
1. Paul paints a vivid picture of our lives before Christ. He calls us “dead.” Describe why this metaphor fits perfectly with the reality of our situation. How would you have described yourself before you trusted Christ? Why do you think so many people identify themselves as “good”? In what ways do you see spiritual death in our culture today?
2. How did you follow the “ways of the world” before Christ? Because of habits you established before Christ, what areas of the world still call to you to follow? What does it mean to be “children of wrath?”
3. Paul follows the description of our sinful state with a huge contrast “But God.” How would you describe in your own words what God has done on our behalf? Why do you think Paul reminded these believers of these truths? What happens in our lives when we forget how sinful we were apart from Christ?
4. “Grace” is mentioned in verses 5, 7, and 8. How would you define grace? Why is grace so difficult for us to grasp? Describe a time when the lavish mercy and grace of God became real to you.
5. Describe the process of our salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). What did God do in this process? What did we do in this process? Why do we have a hard time accepting the fact that good works will not save us? How does this go against the grain of our culture?
6. While good works don’t save us, they are a part of our Christian experience. Describe how works follow faith. What role do works play in the life of a Christian? What good works is God calling you to right now?
Pray: Pray that the gospel would take such a significant place in your life that you would walk in the good, grace-filled, glorifying works that God is calling you to.
Memorize/Meditate: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
